History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 46

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1138

USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 46
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 46
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 46

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"'Four years ago, when I began operations in Washington, suppressing the liquor traffic among Indians, as chief officer of the Indian service, I first crossed this man McWhorter's trail. I found him stirring them up to protest against the issuing of saloon licenses at Toppenish. I found the Indians under his influence, protesting against the issuing of saloon licenses at Wapato, at Parker and other places. I found him stirring up the Yakimas to petition the secretary of the interior, asking for the removal of the white man's saloon from their midst.

"'In March, 1911, a bill was introduced into the Washington senate to destroy the splendid state law against selling liquor to Indians. The news came to me im- mediately over the wire and I telegraphed to many persons of influence in that state, asking assistance in defeating the infamous proposal. It was L. V. McWhorter who played the card that defeated the liquor grafters. He rode the Yakima reservation for two days. The result was, that, representing five hundred Indians, he sent a telegram to the sponsor of the bill protesting and imploring that it be withdrawn. And it was withdrawn, as the hundreds of scoundrels who have since been convicted under this law can testify.

""Because of my interest in my own race as well as my interest in the Indian, I rejoice that the following pages have been written, and written by one so well qualified to tell the sordid story as Mr. McWhorter. If the remainder of the white race were like him, there would be no Indian problems.'

"During these years of friendly contact with the Yakimas, Mr. McWhorter ob- tained many of their traditions and folklore stories, to which he is constantly adding. These, with much obscure tribal history, because of the native eloquence of oratory which he carefully preserves, will, if ever published, constitute a valuable contribu- tion to our Indian literature. Not the least interesting of his manuscripts is the per- sonal narratives of a number of the warriors of Chief Joseph's band, Nez Perce war, 1877. Some of these cover previous tribal wars, and the thrilling experiences of the grim fighters, told in their own way, reveals the Indian character as seldom tound in border history. The lack of money alone has prevented the completion of these researches and their publication in book form."

On the 17th of March, 1883, Mr. McWhorter was married to Miss Ardelia Adaline Swisher, a native of his own state and a typical mountain woman of character and ability. Three children were born: Ovid Tullius, March 3, 1884; Iris Oresta, June 15, 1886; Virgil Oneco, June 7, 1888. Mrs. McWhorter died December 22, 1893. Mr. McWhorter's second wife was Miss C. Annie Bowman, who for several years was identified with state institutional work in Ohio and Missouri.

Of the children the two boys are graduates of the Washington State College. The eldest was for a time agriculturist for the State Training School, Chchalis; later agricultural instructor, Snohomish high school; county agricultural agent of Clallam and Jefferson counties, and is now at Montesano, Grays Harbor county engaged in county agent work. He was married November 26, 1915, to Miss Bertha Heffner, a graduate of the University of Washington. The younger son after graduation from college, was engaged as agricultural instructor at the State College but for the past several years has been identified with the Bureau of Animal Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture as a specialist in sheep husbandry. He is

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superintendent of the United States sheep experiment station at Dubois, Idaho. He was married on November 21, 1916, to Miss Beryl Campbell, a graduate of the Washı- ington State College. The daughter graduated from the Yakima Business College, and was married November 26, 1908, to Mr. W. George Ingalsbe; died February 28, 1917, leaving two children, Walter E., born June 15, 1911, and George W., Jr., born December 12, 1915. Barring a short residence at Toppenish, Washington, Mr. and Mrs. Ingalsbe made their home at (North) Yakima, Washington. Mrs. Ingalsbe is buried in the city cemetery.

WILLIAM N. IRISH.

William N. Irish has contributed in substantial measure to the progress and upbuilding of Yakima county through the development and sale of orchard lands and also as an active operator in the field of fruit raising. He was born in Erie county, New York, January 18, 1857, a son of Ransom and Lodema (Chase) Irish, who in the year 1870 left their home in the east and removed westward to Minnesota, where the father secured farm lands, which he further developed and improved to the time of his death. His wife has also passed away.

There were no unusual features in the boyhood of William N. Irish, who divided his time between the acquirement of a public school education, the work of the fields and the pleasures of the playground. When not busy with his textbooks he assisted with the work of the home farm until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he turned his attention to commercial interests and spent six years as an employe in a drug store. He was afterward with the Crescent Creamery Company for twenty-one years, spending a part of that time at Rochester, Minnesota, while later, as secre- tary and treasurer of the company, he had his headquarters at St. Paul. In April, 1903, he made his way to the coast, settling at Yakima, where he had purchased land in January, 1895, becoming owner of ten acres on Nob Hill, adjacent to the western suburb of the city. In the meantime the land had been improved through labor that he had employed and in 1903 he took up his abode upon this place, on which he erected a fine residence. He has since bought and sold many tracts of land in this section of the state, selling on January 3, 1919, for thirty thousand dollars, a thirty- acre orchard on the Selah which he had purchased in 1911. He still has a sixteen- acre orchard at Grandview. He has improved and sold over three hundred acres of fruit land in the Parker Heights district in connection with E. J. Haasze. He has been a very prominent factor in the development of this section, especially along the line of promoting the fruit-raising interests, and the value of his services is widely recognized. He has closely studied all the Questions bearing upon the subject of fruit growing in the northwest, is familiar with the condition of the soil and the demands of different kinds of fruit along that line. He knows the best methods of spraying and caring for the trees and his broad experience enables him to speak with authority upon questions relating to horticultural interests in the valley. He is rec- ognized today as one of its most prominent fruit men and he is equally familiar with irrigation problems and opportunities along that line, being the vice-president of the Yakima Valley Canal Company, which owns and operates the Congdon ditch. He assisted in the organization of the Growers' Service Company in 1916 and has since been its president. He likewise aided in the organization of the Yakima County Horticultural Union and has served as its president and as secretary. He is now vice-president of the Northwestern Fruit Exchange of Seattle, a position . which he has occupied since its organization in 1910. His name also figures in financial circles as a director of the Yakima Trust Company.

In 1881, Mr. Irish was married to Miss Caroline Vreeland, of Wisconsin, the wedding being celebrated in Minnesota. Their children are: Anna, now deceased; Harry, who is assistant treasurer of the Growers' Service Company; Grace, at home; William, who is a member of the Hospital Corps of the United States navy; and Colburn, deceased.

Mr. Irish is well known in Masonic circles, having membership in Yakima Lodge No. 24, F. & A. M .; Yakima Chapter No. 21, R. A. M .; Yakima Council No. 12, R. &

WILLIAM N. IRISH

WILLIAM N. IRISH'S RESIDENCE

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S. M .; Yakima Commandery No 13, K. T .; and Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, to which Mrs. Irish and Miss Grace also belong. He also has membership, in the Yakima Commercial Club, on the official board of which he served for two years. He was delegated by the club, on several occasions, to represent the organization at large exhibits in the east. The first big display he was in charge of was when, in 1907, he exhibited a car of fruit at the Minnesota State Fair at St. Paul. His religious faith as well as that of the family, is that of the Methodist church, to the teachings of which they loyally adhere. His political support is given to the republican party. It is characteristic of Mr. Irish that he is faithful to any trust or to an cause which he espouses. In business affairs he is thoroughly reliable as well as progressive and his career measures up to high standards of manhood and citizenship.

EVARISTE COURCHENE.

Evariste Courchene, a representative agriculturist of the Yakima valley, has for the past six years cultivated a valuable tract of land comprising thirty-three acres near Moxee City. His birth occurred near Montreal, Canada, on the 27th of May, 1873, his parents being Edward and Clarinte (Boivert) Courchene, who in 1886 re- moved to Alberta, Canada, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was a successful ranchman.

Evariste Courchene was a young man of thirty-six years when in 1909 he came to the Yakima valley. Three years later he purchased thirty-three acres of land on the Moxee, where he has since been engaged in the raising of hops, corn, sugar beets, hay, potatoes and other farm products. Success has come to him by reason of well directed industry and good management, so that he is now numbered among the sub- stantial and representative citizens of the district.

On the 7th of May, 1918, Mr. Courchene was joined in wedlock to Miss Maria Roy, of Alberta, Canada. They are devout communicants of the Holy Rosary Cath- olic church at Moxee City and have won many friends during the period of their residence in the valley. Mr. Courchene exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party, believing firmly in its principles. His life has ever been upright and honorable, commanding the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact in business and social relations.

FREDERIC C. HALL.

Real estate and insurance interests in Yakima are ably represented by Frederic · C. Hall, who has also participated in public progress through various positions which he has held in connection with institutions that are entirely devoted to the upbuild- ing of higher ideals. For many years he has been connected with the Yakima valley and throughout this period he has demonstrated his value as a substantial and public- spirited citizen. He is now doing an excellent business and while he has attained prosperity through his activities along that line he has contributed toward the ma- terial growth of his city. He is recognized as an authority on real estate and in- surance and all who have had business dealings with him agree as to his integrity and irreproachable business methods.

A native of New York, Frederic C. Hall was born in Lima, September 3, 1850, a son of James H. and Jane F. (Clark) Hall. The Hall family claims as its first American ancestor, John Hall, who in 1632 emigrated from England to Massachusetts, later removing to Guilford, Connecticut. The great-great-grandfather of our subject, Stephen Hall, was a captain in the Revolutionary war, thus assisting in gaining for the American people their greatest possession-Independence. His son, Amos Hall, was a general in the War of 1812 and was a member of the Society of the Cincin- nati. Incidentally, Frederic C. Hall of this review is also a member of this famous organization, to which only the oldest son of the oldest son can belong. The parents

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of Mr. Hall, James H. and Jane F. Hall, passed away in New York and in 1890 Fred- eric C. Hall came to Yakima and entered the real estate business, soon demonstrating his ability and building up a gratifying trade. He served as county auditor in 1894 and after his term had expired was for one year engaged in the shoe business. He subsequently was for four years assistant cashier of the Yakima Valley Bank but since that date has again turned his attention to real estate and insurance and now has a large clientage. He is well versed as regards realty values here and through his agency many important transactions have been concluded. His business methods are above board and he enjoys the greatest confidence, while his judgment is seldom if ever questioned. On the contrary his advice in regard to real estate values is often sought and generally heeded.

On September 3, 1874, Frederic C. Hall was united in marriage to Flora Collier, of Hornell, New York, and to them was born a daughter, Bessie, who married J. G. Flanery, of Tacoma, Washington. Mr. Hall was one of the organizers and is now president of the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and, moreover, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which lodge he has held all the chairs, now being a trustee. He is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and for sixteen years was president of the board of trustees, thus doing valu- able work for the church. For seven years he has also served as trustee of the library board and has served on the building committee. In his political affiliations he is a republican, loyally supporting the candidates of that party, and while not a politician in the ordinary sense of the word has ever taken the greatest interest in public movements, keeping thoroughly informed in regard to the issues of the day and particularly the questions that concern his nearer home district. He is a director of the Yakima Title Guaranty & Abstract Company and a trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which local branch he was one of the organizers. He is a charter member of the Yakima Historical Society and from 1895 until 1898 served as first lieutenant of Troop A, a cavalry organization, in the National Guard. As one of the foremost citizens of Yakima county Mr. Hall stands high in the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, who by bestowing honor upon him have honored themselves.

WARREN L. GALE.

Warren L. Gale, an orchardist living near Zillah, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, May 2, 1853. He is a son of Abram R. and Nancy (Hunter) Gale, who were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. They became pioneer settlers of Ohio and in the fall of 1855 removed from that state to McHenry county, Illinois, but in the spring of 1856 left the latter place for Fillmore county, Minnesota, mak- ing the journey thither with ox teams. There the father took up government land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made and with char- acteristic energy he began the development of the property. In 1877 he sold out and went to North Carolina, where he resided for two years. In 1879 he became a resident of Boone county, Nebraska, again attracted by the opportunities of the new and growing west. There he took up government land and at once began the arduous task of developing a new farm. In the course of years his fields were brought under a high state of cultivation and he continued to own and operate that farm to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898. His widow survived him for several years and became a resident of Seattle, where her death occurred in 1906. During the period of their residence in Nebraska they won a substantial measure of success.

Warren L. Gale, after acquiring a public school education, started out in the business world independently when nineteen years of age by renting land. He after- ward went to North Carolina with his father and accompanied him to Nebraska in 1879, in which year he, too, took up a homestead claim. There he remained for twenty-two years, or until February, 1901, when he sold his property in that district and made his way to the northwest, becoming a resident of Yakima county. Here he purchased twenty acres of land a mile and a half northwest of Zillah. It was improved property, to which he has since added other modern improvements, and

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upon his farm are now found all the accessories and conveniences of a model ranch property of the twentieth century. He has built a finc house upon the place and everything about his ranch indicates his practical methods and his progressive spirit. He has eighteen acres of his land planted to apples, pears, prunes, peaches and apricots and he is justly regarded as a leading orchardist of his district, for he employs the most scientific methods in the care and spraying of his trees and in the gather- ing, packing and shipping of his fruit.

In 1880 Mr. Gale was married to Miss Louise Lamont, a native of Michigan, and they became parents of two children: Mary Emily, the wife of A. T. Snipes, a stock- man residing in Klickitat county, Washington, by whom she has one son; and Charles, who is in the shipyards at Vancouver, Washington. He is married and has a son, now about a year old. In 1906 Mr. Gale wedded Mrs. Nellie Laroe, nee Hardy, who was born in Marietta, Ohio, a daughter of John and Julia Hardy. There is one child by this marriage, Warren L., Jr., whose birth occurred June 26, 1918.

In politics Mr. Gale is a stalwart republican. He has served four years on the school board and he is a member of the Water Users Association. He has never been active in politics as an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, and the careful direction of his labors has won him a place among the successful orchardists of the Yakima valley. He has made a comprehen- sive and thorough study of everything relating to horticultural development in this section and he speaks with authority upon all vital questions concerning fruit grow- ing in the district. He secured the best nursery stock and his orchards are indeed a thing of beauty in blossom time and a source of substantial profit in the harvest season.

CHARLES S. SIMPSON.

Charles S. Simpson is the owner of two ranches devoted largely to fruit raising and has made for himself a creditable position as an orchardist of the Yakima valley. He was born in Fredericksburg, Holmes county, Ohio, December 13, 1862, a son of Wilkinson Kelso and Martha Ann (Pomeroy) Simpson. The father was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and the mother's birth occurred in Ohio, in which state they were married. Wilkinson K. Simpson was a son of George N. Simpson, who was of Scotch parentage, his mother having been a Lindsay. Both died in Pennsyl- vania. In young manhood W. K. Simpson removed from the Keystone state to Ohio and afterward established his home in Auburn, Indiana, in 1868. At a later date he became a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 1874 he removed to the vicinity of Lansing, Michigan. He was a dentist who successfully practiced his profession for many years, following that calling in Michigan to the time of his death.

Charles S. Simpson, after acquiring a public school education, worked upon a fruit farm in Michigan and thus received early training along the line in which he is now engaged. His identification with the northwest covers a period of more than a third of a century, for he arrived in Walla Walla, Washington, in February, 1882. He then secured employment in the fruit orchard of C. M. Johnson and later was with the firm of Randle & Sayer, nurscrymen, assisting them in the establishment of their orchard and nursery. He was afterward associated with the Milton Nursery Company for five years and while thus engaged took up a homestead claim in Klicki- tat county in 1884. It was in 1889 that Mr. Simpson removed to Yakima county and established a nursery business in connection with his brother Harry under the style of Simpson Brothers. In 1890 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land a mile and a half south of the depot in Yakima. Nearly the entire tract was still wild and undeveloped, but he at once began to prepare the land and develop a nursery and for many years conducted thereon an extensive and profitable nursery business. He has since sold his land with the exception of twenty-five acres. This is situated in two ranches, one of ten acres and the other of fifteen acres, lying about a half mile apart. He has a nice home upon his place and has most of his land planted to fruit, including apples, pears and prunes. His orchards are in good bearing condi- tion and his annual sales of fruit bring to him a substantial financial return.

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On the 25th of December, 1899, Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Madge Hards, who was born near London, England, a daughter of George Hards, who came to this country from England and settled in Idaho, while later he took up his abode in Yakima and in 1918 removed to Ellensburg, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have had five children: Vira; Samuel Reuben, deceased; Mildred; Martha; and Charles Sanford, Jr., who was born February 23, 1913, and is therefore five years of age.

The parents are members of the Christian Science church and Mr. Simpson be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party and he is interested in all matters of public concern, giving his support to those activities which are of value to the com- munity. As a nurseryman he contributed much to the development and improve- ment of this section of the state. His labors demonstrated the possibility for the successful propagation of various kinds of fruits and trees and his nursery stock constituted the nucleus of the improvement of many of the best orchards now found in this section of the state.

JAMES D. BEAN.

The family residence of James D. Bean at Naches commands a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding country, and thus amid pleasant surroundings Mr. Bean is spending his days, devoting his attention to the further development and im- provements of his fine orchards. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, September 27, 1872, a son of Henry R. and Jane (Blacklock) Bean, the former a native of Eng- land, while the latter was born in Scotland. Both came to the United States in early life and were married on this side of the Atlantic. The father was a carpenter and contractor and carried on business along building lines for many years. In 1872 he established his home in Racine, Wisconsin, where he followed his trade for some time, and later he was killed in Kansas while engaged in building a bridge. His wife passed away in Racine.

James D. Bean obtained a public school education in Racine and after starting out in the business world on his own account learned the tinner's trade. He ar- rived in Yakima, Washington, in 1908 and spent five years in the city in the employ of the Yakima Hardware Company, but noticing the success that was to be achieved in the raising and development of fruit in this section, he purchased in 1913 forty acres of land on Naches Heights and now has eleven acres in fruit. He has erected a nice residence upon his place and in 1918 he built a fine warehouse. He is engaged extensively in raising apples, making a specialty of Jonathans and Winesaps. He is also planting another five acres to "Delicious" apples and his orchards are in ex- cellent condition, showing the utmost care of the owner. He likewise raises potatoes and hay and annually gathers good crops.

Mr. Bean's sister Minnie, the wife of J. B. Riley, is making her home with him. In politics Mr. Bean is a republican and always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, for he feels that his time and attention are fully occupied by his business affairs, which are constantly grow- ing in volume and importance, and he is now accounted one of the successful orchard- ists of the Naches Heights.

RUFUS COOKE.

For over fifty years Rufus Cooke has been a witness of the wonderful develop- ment that has taken place in the Yakima valley. He is not only a pioneer of this section but is one of the few native sons who can date the year of their birth back to 1867. He was born on the 12th of September, a son of C. P. Cooke, who has since passed away. The latter was numbered among the earliest settlers of the Yakima Valley, who in the '70s located in the Kittitas valley, where he spent his remaining

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days. He was married to Susan E. Brewster, a native of New York, who in 1851 arrived in Oregon with her uncle, E. N. Cooke. C. P. Cooke removed to that state in 1850, coming originally from Ohio but having crossed the plains to California in 1849. In 1867, the year of the birth of our subject, the father came to Yakima county and in the '70s, as mentioned above, removed to the Kittitas valley. Both Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Cooke were numbered among the typical pioneers of the west. He passed away in 1888 but his widow survives and makes her home with Rufus Cooke, being now in her eighty-seventh year. She is the only one living of the party who crossed the plains in 1851 and is still enjoying good health. Her husband was quite prominent as a stock raiser and dcaler and as such was engaged for many years in this valley, having previously followed the same pursuit at Independence, Oregon. As a stockman he used the sugar bowl as his brand, which became one of the famous markings among the cattlemen of his day.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 46

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920 Publication date: 1919 Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1138